Display device with integrated antenna

ABSTRACT

An antenna is provided for a personal computing device, for example a wearable device such as a smartwatch. The antenna includes one or more radiating elements configured to receive or transmit radio waves. For example, the one or more radiating elements may at least partially be formed by one or more components of a display of a device, where the one or more components of the display include one or more conductive elements. The one or more radiating elements may also at least partially be formed by a dedicated antenna layer positioned in the display of the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/654,129, filed Oct. 16, 2019, which claims the benefit of the filingdate of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/867,305 filed Jun.27, 2019, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices include one or more antennas for transmitting andreceiving signals in various communication bands. Antenna design forsmall electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices andwearable devices, can be challenging because of the constrained formfactors of such devices. For example, while a smart phone may havelimited space for housing its antennas, a smartwatch with a compact formfactor may have even less space. The limited space may restrict variousdimensions that impact antenna performance, such as dimensions of anantenna's radiating element, ground plane, and clearance distances tothe ground plane and to other antennas. Further, antenna performance forwearable devices may be severely impacted by body effects due to theclose proximity to the wearer, which may cause detuning, attenuation,and shadowing of the antenna.

Electronic devices may include one or more displays for presentinginformation and graphics to a user. For example, such a display may be ascreen or a touch screen. The display may include various electronic,optical, and mechanical components.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides for an antenna comprising one or moreradiating elements. The one or more radiating elements are at leastpartially formed by one or more components of a display of a device, theone or more components of the display including one or more conductiveelements; and a dedicated antenna layer positioned in the display of thedevice. The one or more radiating elements are configured to receiveand/or transmit radio frequency waves.

The one or more radiating elements may be planar in shape. The one ormore components and the dedicated antenna layer may be arranged in alayered stack.

The antenna may further comprise at least one separation layerpositioned between the one or more components and the dedicated antennalayer such that the one or more conductive elements and the dedicatedantenna layer are capacitively coupled through the at least oneseparation layer. The at least one separation layer may include anadhesive material.

The antenna may further comprise one or more tuners configured to changea resonant frequency of the antenna.

The antenna may further comprise one or more matching networksconfigured to change an impedance of a radio source or a load of theantenna.

The present disclosure further provides for a device, comprising adisplay and a first antenna. The first antenna comprising one or moreradiating elements. The one or more radiating elements are at leastpartially formed by one or more components of the display, the one ormore components of the display including one or more conductiveelements; and a dedicated antenna layer positioned in the display. Theone or more radiating elements are configured to receive and/or transmitradio frequency waves.

The one or more components of the display may include a display flexthat provides electrical connections between the display to othercomponents of the device.

The one or more conductive elements may include the electricalconnections of the display flex. The one or more conductive elements mayinclude a conductive coating on the display flex.

The dedicated antenna layer may be embedded in an adhesive layer in thedisplay.

The device may further comprise at least one separation layer positionedbetween the one or more components and the dedicated antenna layer suchthat the one or more conductive elements and the dedicated antenna layerare capacitively coupled through the at least one separation layer. Theseparation layer may be an adhesive affixing the dedicated antenna layerto the one or more components of the display.

The device may further comprise a display cover, the display cover beingmade of a dielectric material configured to dielectrically load thefirst antenna.

The device may further comprise one or more display panels, the one ormore display panels being made of a dielectric material configured todielectrically load the first antenna.

The device may further comprise a housing, the housing is made of aconductive material; and a ground connection between the first antennaand the housing.

The device may further comprise a second antenna positioned along aperiphery of a housing of the device, wherein the second antenna isconfigured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency waves in frequencyranges for GPS signals.

The device may further comprise a third antenna positioned along aperiphery of a housing of the device, wherein the third antenna isconfigured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency waves in frequencyranges for WiFi and Bluetooth signals.

The present disclosure still further provides for a first antenna, asecond antenna, and a third antenna. The first antenna includes one ormore radiating elements, the one or more radiating elements being atleast partially formed by one or more components of a display of adevice, the one or more components of the display including one or moreconductive elements, and a dedicated antenna layer positioned in thedisplay of the device. The first antenna may be configured to receiveand/or transmit radio frequency waves in frequency ranges for LTEsignals. The second antenna may be positioned along a periphery of ahousing of the device, the second antenna being configured to receiveand/or transmit radio frequency waves in frequency ranges for GPSsignals. The third antenna may be positioned along the periphery of thehousing of the device, the third antenna may be configured to receiveand/or transmit radio frequency waves in frequency ranges for WiFi andBluetooth signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example device in accordance with aspectsof the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an example antenna system in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example display antenna in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example circuit diagram for an example displayantenna in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing example performances of a display antenna inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example system in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

The present disclosure generally relates to a display antenna. Forinstance, a device, such as a small form factor wearable device (e.g.,smartwatch), may include a housing, a display cover attached to thehousing, and a display for presenting information to a user. The devicemay further include one or more antennas configured to receive and/ortransmit radio frequency waves for wireless communication. However, asdescribed above, antenna design in such a small form factor device canbe challenging because dimensions and orientations of the antenna andother components are restricted by the size of the device, which maynegatively impact antenna performance. In the case of wearable devices,antenna performance may also be negatively impacted by body effects of awearer.

To resolve these issues, one of the antennas in the device may beconfigured as a display antenna that is at least partially formed by oneor more components of the display. For instance, one or more radiatingelements of the display antenna configured to transmit and/or receiveradio frequency waves may at least partially be formed by one or morecomponents of the display. As an example, a display flex may includeconductive elements, such as metallic wirings and traces that provideelectrical connections between the display and other components of thedevice. As such, the display flex may at least partially form the one ormore radiating elements of the display antenna.

Further, the one or more radiating elements of the display antenna mayalso at least partially be formed by a dedicated antenna layerpositioned in the display of the device. For example, the dedicatedantenna layer may be a metallic layer coated on the display flex, or ametallic layer coated onto or embedded into an adhesive layer affixed tothe display flex. Aspects of the dedicated antenna layer, such asdimensions and materials, can be adjusted to enhance antenna performancewithout impacting functions of the display.

To form parts of the same display antenna, the one or more components ofthe display and the dedicated antenna layer may be coupled together. Forexample, a separation layer, such as a dielectric adhesive, may bepositioned between the one or more components of the display and thededicated antenna layer to capacitively couple the one or morecomponents of the display to the dedicated antenna layer. As anotherexample, where the dedicated antenna layer is embedded into an adhesivelayer, the adhesive layer may be the separation layer that capacitivelycouples the dedicated antenna layer to the one or more components of thedisplay.

The one or more radiating elements of the display antenna may be planarin shape. For example, the one or more radiating elements of the displayantenna may be configured to have a similar shape as the display. Such aconfiguration may allow the radiating elements to have a large surfacearea, which may improve antenna performance. The planar radiatingelements may be arranged in a layered stack within the housing beneaththe display cover.

In such a layered stack arrangement, the display antenna may beconfigured to be dielectrically loaded, which may further enhanceantenna performance. For example, radio frequency waves may be receivedat the display cover, which may be made of a dielectric material such asglass, and subsequently loaded to the display antenna. Components suchas one or more display panels made of a dielectric material (e.g., LCDglass panels), polarizers, adhesives, etc., may also be configured todielectrically load the display antenna.

The device may include other antennas in addition to the displayantenna. In this regard, the antennas may be configured to transmitand/or receive radio frequency signals in different frequency ranges.For example, the display antenna may be configured to receive and/ortransmit radio frequency waves in frequency ranges for LTE signals. Asecond antenna may be configured to receive and/or transmit radiofrequency waves in frequency ranges for GPS signals. A third antenna maybe configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency waves infrequency ranges for WiFi and Bluetooth signals.

The display antenna and antenna system as described herein provide forefficient operation of devices, particularly for small factor wearableelectronic devices. Features of the display antenna provide for usingconductive components that already exist in a display for formingantenna radiating elements, therefore saving limited space in smallfactor devices. A dedicated antenna layer in the display antennaprovides flexibility for both antenna design and device design, forexample, adjustments can be made to the dedicated antenna layer tochange characteristics of the display antenna, instead of compromisingdimensions and/or materials used in the display. The display antenna maybe positioned to allow dielectric loading by dielectric components thatalready exist in the display, which may further improve antennaperformance by effectively increasing the display antenna's electricallength without increasing its physical length. Features of the displayantenna also provide for reduced coupling with other antennas, greaterisolation from the body effects of the user, and reduced exposure of auser's body to RF radiation.

Example Systems

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example device 100 in which a displayantenna may be provided. As shown, the example device 100 is a wearabledevice, in particular a smartwatch. However, it should be understoodthat a display antenna may be implemented in any of a variety of deviceswith a display, including both wearable and non-wearable devices, suchas head-mounted devices, smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions,etc. FIG. 1A shows a side view of an exterior of the device 100, andFIG. 1B shows a top view of an exterior of the device 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the device 100 has a housing 102 and adisplay cover 104 attached to or mounted on the housing 102. The housing102 may be configured to provide support and protection to variouselectronic, optical, and/or mechanical components of the device 100. Thehousing 102 may be made out of a variety of materials, such as metal,alloy, plastic, glass, ceramics, or any combination of these or othermaterials. In instances where the housing 102 is made of a conductivematerial such as metal, the housing 102 may be configured to providegrounding for one or more components of the device 100. The housing 102may be any shape, such as round, rectangular, square, oval, etc. A topsurface of the housing 102 may be configured to be attached to thedisplay cover 104, such as by having an opening with a similar shape asthe display cover 104, and structures such as bezels, mounts, etc. Wherethe device 100 is a wearable device, a bottom surface of the housing 102opposite the display cover 104 may be configured to be in contact withskin or clothing, such as by having a generally flat or smooth surface.

The display cover 104 may be configured to protect and enable viewing ofand interactions with a display underneath the display cover 104. Asdescribed in detail further below, the display may be a screen or atouch screen including various electronic, optical, and mechanicalcomponents. The display cover 104 may be made of any of a number oftransparent materials. For example, the display cover 104 may be made ofa dielectric material such as glass, polymers, etc. The display cover104 may have a substantially planar shape, or have a three-dimensionalshape with curvature, such as a dome-like shape. The display cover 104may be configured to have a similar or different shape as the surface ofthe housing 102 to which the display cover 104 is attached. In thisexample shown, the display cover 104 has the similar round shape as thetop surface of the housing 102 to which it is attached.

The housing 102 may further be adapted to modularly attach to othercomponents. For example as shown, where the device 100 is a smartwatch,housing 102 may be adapted to attach to a watch band 106. The watch band106 may be made of any appropriate material, including metal, ceramic,leather, polymers, fabric, or any combination of such materials. Ininstances where the watch band 106 is made of a conductive material suchas metal, the watch band 106 may be configured to provide grounding forone or more components of the device 100.

Device 100 may have an antenna system including one or more antennas forsending and/or receiving signals wirelessly. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2Cillustrate an example antenna system 200 that may be provided in device100. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a top view of a horizontal cross section ofthe device 100, exposing one view of the antenna system 200. FIG. 2Cshows a side view of a vertical cross section of the device 100,exposing another view of the antenna system 200.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the antenna system 200 may include a first antenna210, a second antenna 220, and a third antenna 230. The first antenna210, the second antenna 220, and the third antenna 230 may be configuredto operate around the same or different sets of resonant frequencies. Byway of example only, the first antenna 210 may be configured to operatein LTE frequencies, including low-band LTE frequency range between 700MHz and 960 MHz, mid-band LTE frequency range between 1710 MHz to 2200MHz, and high-band LTE frequency range between 2500 MHz and 2700 MHz.The second antenna 220 may be configured to operate in frequency rangesof GNSS frequency bands, which may include GPS frequency band centeredaround 1575.42 MHz, GLONASS frequency band between 1596-1607 MHz, BeiDoufrequency band centered around 1561.098 MHz. The third antenna 230 maybe configured to operate in frequency ranges between 2400 MHz and 2484MHz for WiFi and Bluetooth signals. As such, the antenna system 200 mayprovide coverage of LTE communication bands via the first antenna 210,coverage of GPS communication band via the second antenna 220, andcoverage of WiFi and Bluetooth communication bands via the third antenna230.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the first antenna 210 may be a display antennasuch that the first antenna 210 includes one or more components from adisplay of the device 100. For example, one or more radiating elements212 of the first antenna 210 may at least partially be formed by one ormore components from a display of the device 100. Additionally oralternatively, the one or more radiating elements 212 of the firstantenna 210 may at least partially be formed by a dedicated antennalayer. Radiating elements are conductive elements configured to supportcurrents or fields that contribute directly to the radiation patterns ofthe antenna. In this regard, the one or more radiating elements 212 ofthe first antenna 210 may be made of any of a number of conductivematerials, such as metals and alloys.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the first antenna 210 may be a planar antenna,where at least one of the radiating elements 212 is planar in shape. Forexample, the first antenna 210 is shown in FIG. 2B to have one or moreplanar radiating elements 212 (shown as shaded circle) with a similarround shape as the display cover 104. Alternatively, the one or moreplanar radiating elements 212 may have other shapes, such asrectangular, oval, square, etc. In instances where the first antenna 210has multiple planar radiating elements, the multiple planar radiatingelements may be arranged in a layered stack, such as in substantiallyparallel planes as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The first antenna 210 may have one or more feeds, such as feed 214. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the feed 214 may be positioned along a perimeter ofthe planar radiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210. The feed 214may be connected to transceivers and/or radio sources (not shown). Forinstance, the feed 214 may be configured to feed radio waves from aradio source, via a transmitter, to the rest of the antenna structureincluding the one or more planar radiating elements 212. The feed 214may also be configured to collect incoming radio waves received at theone or more planar radiating elements 212, convert the incoming radiowaves into to electric currents, and pass the electric currents to oneor more receivers. In some examples, the first antenna 210 may becapacitively fed by a feed structure positioned proximate to the feed214.

The first antenna 210 may have one or more ground connections, such asground connection 216. As further shown in FIG. 2B, the groundconnection 216 may be positioned along a perimeter of the planarradiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210. The ground connection216 may connect or short the one or more planar radiating elements 212of the first antenna 210 to a ground plane (not shown). A ground planeis a conducting surface that serves as a reflecting surface for radiowaves received and/or transmitted by the radiating elements of anantenna. For example, the ground plane for the first antenna 210 may beformed by one or more conductive components of the device 100, such ashousing 102, watch band 106, etc.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, the second antenna 220 and third antenna230 may each be a semi-loop antenna. Further as shown in FIG. 2B, thesecond antenna 220 and the third antenna 230 may each include aradiating element 222, 232 having an arcuate shape (each shown as a boldline). The second antenna 220 and the third antenna 230 may each bepositioned around a periphery of the first antenna 210 and curving alongan inside surface of the housing 102. As another example, the secondantenna 220 may include multiple radiating elements coupled to eachother, such as two arcuate-shaped radiating elements capacitivelycoupled to each other (e.g., positioned within close proximity butseparated by air or a dielectric material). The second antenna 220 andthe third antenna 230 may each have a feed, such as feeds 224, 234respectively, and a ground connection, such as ground connections 226,236 respectively. The feeds 224, 234 and ground connections 226, 236 mayeach be positioned near an end of the respective radiating elements 222,232.

Dimensions of the radiating elements 222 and 232 may be selected forsupporting operation in different frequency ranges. For example,dimensions of the radiating element 222, such as length, may be selectedfor operation in GNSS frequency bands. For instance, the length may beselected so that the radiating element 222 has resonant frequencies inthe GNSS frequency bands. Likewise, dimensions of the radiating element232, such as length, may be selected for operation in WiFi and Bluetoothfrequencies. For instance, the length may be selected so that theradiating element 232 has resonant frequencies in the WiFi and Bluetoothfrequency bands.

Alternatively, the second antenna 220 and/or the third antenna 230 maybe any other types of antenna, such as a monopole antenna, a dipoleantenna, a planar antenna, a slot antenna, a hybrid antenna, a loopantenna, an inverted-F antenna, etc. As such, the radiating elements222, 232 of the second antenna 220 and the third antenna 230 may haveany other appropriate shape. For example, the radiating elements 222and/or 232 may have a planar shape and positioned below the firstantenna 210 near a bottom surface of the housing 102.

Referring to FIG. 2C, another view of the antenna system 200 illustratesrelative positions of the first antenna 210, the second antenna 220, andthe third antenna 230. Since the first antenna 210 may include one ormore components of a display of the device 100, at least a portion ofthe first antenna 210 may be substantially parallel to a plane of thedisplay cover 104. To reduce coupling effects, the first antenna 210,the second antenna 220, and the third antenna 230 may be positioned inthe housing 102 such that there is at least a predetermined minimalseparation d between the first antenna 210 and each of the secondantenna 220 and the third antenna 230. For example as shown, the secondantenna 220 and the third antenna 230 may be positioned around aperiphery of the first antenna 210 and in a different plane as the firstantenna 210.

FIG. 2C further shows the first antenna 210, the second antenna 220, andthe third antenna 230 in relation to other components inside the housing102. For instance, the first antenna 210, the second antenna 220, and/orthe third antenna 230 may each be provided with a connection to one ormore radio sources. FIG. 2C shows radio source 240 connected to thefirst antenna 210, radio source 242 connected to the second antenna 220,and radio source 244 connected to the third antenna 230. Although theradio sources 240, 242, 244 are shown as separate, in some cases theymay be integrated, for example on a same chipset. The radio sources 240,242, 244 may generate radio signals to be transmitted by the firstantenna 210, the second antenna 220, and/or the third antenna 230. Theradio source 240 may be connected to one or more antenna feeds, such asfeeds 214, 224, 234.

The first antenna 210, the second antenna 220, and/or the third antenna230 may be connected to one or more additional components 250 inside thehousing 102. The additional components 250 may include any of thecomponents shown in FIG. 6. For example, the additional components 250may include one or more antenna control circuits provided on one or morecircuit boards of the device 100. The first antenna 210, the secondantenna 220, and/or the third antenna 230 may be provided withconnections to components of the antenna control circuits, which mayinclude the radio sources 240, 242, 244, transceivers, conducted ports,antenna tuners, etc. As another example, the additional components 250may include conductive parts (such as a metal piece attached to acircuit board or the housing 102) making up the ground plane to whichthe first antenna 210, the second antenna 220, and the third antenna 230may be connected.

Further, one or more flexes may provide connections between componentsof the device 100. The flex 260 may provide electrical connections forsignal and power transmission between various components of the device100, such as between display components, sensors, ground, processors orcontrollers, power sources, etc. For example as shown, the flex 260 mayprovide components of the display with electrical connections to the oneor more processors of the device 100, a power source such as battery,sensor circuitry, ground, etc. In some instances, the one or moreradiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210 may at least partiallybe formed by the flex 260.

As mentioned above, the first antenna 210 may be a display antennaincluding one or more components from the display of device 100. FIGS.3A and 3B show components from an example display 300 that can be usedas radiating elements of the first antenna 210 of device 100. FIG. 3Ashows the device 100 in an exploded view, exposing the display 300. FIG.3B shows a side view of a vertical cross section of the device 100,exposing a layered-stack arrangement of components in the display 300.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the display cover 104 is shown detached from thehousing 102, exposing the example display 300 with various components.For example, components of the display 300 visible in FIG. 3A include adisplay panel 310, a display flex 320 with a mounting component 322, anda back cover tape 330. Although only a single display panel 310 is shownin FIG. 3A, any number of display panels may be included in a display.

The display panel 310 may be configured to generate graphics throughillumination. In this regard, the display panel 310 may be made of atransparent material, such as glass, sapphire, or plastic. The displaypanel 310 may include an array of display pixels, which may be formedfrom a liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diodes (LEDs),organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), plasma cells, etc. In someinstances, the display panel 310 may be two glass panels with an arrayof display pixels positioned in between. The display panel 310 mayfurther include other materials, such as polarizing films, filters, etc.In some instances, the display panel 310 may further include sensors,such as touch sensors.

The display flex 320 (shown in grey) may provide electrical connectionsbetween components of the display 300, such as display panel 310, andother components of the device 100, such as processors and batteries ofthe device 100. The flex 260 of FIG. 2C may include display flex 320. Toprovide electrical connections, conductive wirings or traces may beembedded inside the display flex 320 or coated on one or more surfacesof the display flex 320. In instances where at least some components ofthe device 100 are provided on a circuit board (not shown), the displayflex 320 may further include a mounting component 322, which may beconfigured to be coupled to connections on the circuit board. Themounting component 322 may be configured with any type of surface-mounttechnology (SMT), such as sockets, leads, solder, etc.

Further as shown, the display flex 320 may have planar portions 324, 326with shapes that at least partially correspond to the planar shape ofthe display panel 310, thereby providing mechanical support to thedisplay panel 310 when the display panel 310 are positioned on top ofthe display flex 320. The display flex 320 may be made of any materialthat can provide support or protection to the display panel 310 as wellas insulation for electrical connections (wirings, metallic traces,etc.). For example, the display flex 320 may at least partially be madeof a plastic or rubber material.

The display flex 320 may further include one or more conductive elementsthat form at least part of the one or more radiating elements 212 of thefirst antenna 210. For example, conductive elements of the display flex320 for electrical connections, such as the wirings and/or tracesdescribed above, may form part of the one or more radiating elements212. Such conductive elements may be located anywhere on the displayflex 320, including the planar portions 324 and 326, forming part of theone or more radiating elements 212. Additionally or alternatively, otherconductive materials, such as a metallic material coated on a surface ofthe display flex 320, may form part of the one or more radiatingelements 212.

The back cover tape 330 (shown shaded in FIG. 3A) may be configured toaffix the display panel 310 to the display flex 320. To provide moresurface area for affixing, the back cover tape 330 may have a planarshape similar to the display panel 310 and/or the display flex 320. Theback cover tape 330 may be made of any type of adhesive material, suchas glue, epoxy, etc. Where needed, the back cover tape 330 may be madeof a non-conductive material, such as polymers, which may provideinsulation between the display panel 310, the display flex 320, and/orother components. Alternatively, the back cover tape 330 may at leastpartially be made of a conductive material, such as an epoxy includingmetallic materials.

As shown, the display panel 310, the display flex 320, and the backcover tape 330 may be arranged in a layered stack. FIG. 3B furtherillustrates this layered stack arrangement, along with additionalexample components as described further below. For example, theseadditional components may have a surface area equal or smaller than thedisplay panel 310, the display flex 320, and the back cover tape 330such that they are not visible in FIG. 3A. Further, some of theseadditional components, such as dedicated antenna layer 340, may in someinstances be embedded or integrated into the back cover tape 330, and assuch, may not be visible from the view of FIG. 3A. The arrangement showsat least some portions of each of the display panel 310, the displayflex 320, and the back cover tape 330 positioned in substantiallyparallel planes.

FIG. 3B further shows a dedicated antenna layer 340 positioned betweenthe display panel 310 and the display flex 320. The dedicated antennalayer 340 may be a discrete layer configured to form at least part ofthe one or more radiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210.Alternatively, the dedicated antenna layer 340 may be embedded into theback cover tape 330, for example forming a multi-layer conductive backcover tape. In this regard, the dedicated antenna layer 340 may be madeof any of a number of conductive materials, such as metals and alloys,for example copper, aluminum, iron, etc. As shown, the dedicated antennalayer 340 is planar in shape. For example, the dedicated antenna layer340 may have a similar shape as the display panel 310, the display flex320, and/or the display cover 104. Such a configuration may furtherincrease surface area of the one or more radiating elements 212, whichmay improve antenna performance. The dedicated antenna layer 340 may bepositioned in a plane substantially parallel to the display panel 310and/or the display flex 320.

In some examples, the dedicated antenna layer 340 and one or moreconductive elements of the display flex 320 may form one radiatingelement of the first antenna 210. For instance, the dedicated antennalayer 340 and conductive elements of the display flex 320 may becapacitively coupled to each other. In this regard, the dedicatedantenna layer 340 and the conductive elements of the display flex 320may be positioned in substantially parallel planes separated by arelatively small distance, such as by a predetermined separationdistance d_s. This separation distance d_s may be selected for certainantenna characteristics, such as coupling capacitance between thededicated antenna layer 340 and the display flex 320, which may forexample change impedance and/or resonant frequencies of the antenna 210.

In examples where the dedicated antenna layer 340 is embedded in theback cover tape 330 or coated onto the top side of the back cover tape330 (i.e., opposite side as shown in FIG. 3B), the back cover tape 330may provide the separation distance. The dielectric portions of thedisplay flex 320 may also provide separation distance between theconductive elements of the display flex 320 and the dedicated antennalayer 340. Additionally or alternatively, the display flex 320 mayfurther include a separation layer 350 that provides greater separationdistance between at least some portions of the dedicated antenna layer340 and the display flex 320. For example, certain circuit elements onsome portions of the display flex 320 may require greater separationfrom the dedicated antenna layer 340, which may be provided by theseparation layer 350. The separation layer 350 may be made of adielectric material. The separation layer 350 may include adhesivematerial that affixes the dedicated antenna layer 340 to the displayflex 320.

In other examples, some portions of the dedicated antenna layer 340 andsome conductive elements of the display flex 320, such as a conductivecoating on the display flex 320, may be positioned in direct contactwith each other. Thus, in such cases some portions of the dedicatedantenna layer 340 may be capacitively coupled to some conductiveelements of the display flex 320, while other portions of the dedicatedantenna layer 340 may be in direct contact with some conductive elementsof the display flex 320.

Although FIG. 3B shows one example arrangement of the display flex 320and the dedicated antenna layer 340, in other examples the display flex320 and the dedicated antenna layer 340 may be arranged differently. Forinstance, the dedicated antenna layer 340 may be positioned below abottom surface of the display flex 320. Alternatively, the dedicatedantenna layer 340 may be positioned between the display panel 310 andthe back cover tape 330.

The display 300 may include additional components. For example, thedisplay 300 may include optical components filtering light, such as apolarizer 360. Where the display 300 is a touch screen, the display 300may further include one or more touch sensors (not shown here, shown inFIG. 6) for detecting touch inputs. Examples of touch sensors may becapacitive sensors, optical sensors, force sensors, etc. Further asshown, the display flex 320 may have a fold-over portion 328 that isaffixed to the display panel 310 by adhesives 370 and 380, the fold-overportion 328 may also include wiring and/or traces.

Conductive elements in other components of the display 300 may also formpart of the one or more radiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210.For example, conductive elements of the display panel 310, such as partsof the display array and/or parts of the touch sensors, may form part ofthe one or more radiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210. Asanother example, where adhesives, such as back cover tape 330 oradhesives 370 and 380, include conductive materials, the conductivematerials in these adhesives may also form part of the one or moreradiating elements 212 of the first antenna 210.

The first antenna 210 may be positioned to allow dielectric loading. Anantenna is dielectrically loaded when radio waves are received byradiating elements of an antenna through a dielectric material. Since adielectrically loaded antenna may achieve the same electrical length asa non-dielectrically loaded antenna, but with a reduced physical size,dielectric loading may be beneficial for antennas in a small factordevice. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, by forming radiating elements212 near the display cover 104 and the display panel 310, the firstantenna 210 may be dielectrically loaded through the display cover 104and/or the display panel 310. Where other components are also made ofdielectric materials, such as the polarizer 360 and the back cover tape330, these other components may also dielectrically load the firstantenna 210.

Further, by positioning the first antenna 210 to be relatively closer tothe display cover 104 than the bottom surface of the housing 102 that isoften in contact with the body of a user, body effects on the firstantenna 210 may be reduced. Examples of body effects include shadowing(e.g., blocked from signals), detuning (e.g. changing frequency), andattenuation (e.g., reducing amplitude of signals). Positioning the firstantenna 210 relatively farther away from the bottom surface of thehousing 102 may also reduce exposure of the user's body to RF radiation.

Aspects of the dedicated antenna layer 340 may be adjusted to change oneor more characteristics of the first antenna 210. For instance, unlikecomponents such as the display flex 320 that is configured to performother functions in addition to forming at least part of the one or moreradiating elements 212, the dedicated antenna layer 340 is dedicated toperform only one function—forming at least part of the one or moreradiating elements 212. Thus, while adjustments to components such asdisplay flex 320 may be constrained by requirements for performing otherfunctions, greater ranges and types of adjustments may be made to thededicated antenna layer 340, without impacting functions of the display.

As an example, dimensions and materials of the dedicated antenna layer340 may be adjusted to compensate for radiofrequency (RF) loss, whichmay occur when radio waves reach other components of the device 100,including the display cover 104, the display panel 310, and the displayflex 320. For example, the dedicated antenna layer 340 may be adjustedto any arbitrary shape (e.g., square, circle, square, polygon, differentdiameters/lengths, etc.) within the confines of the housing 102 in orderto achieve certain resonant frequencies and/or impedance values. Asanother example, different materials (including combinations ofmaterials) may be used for the dedicated antenna layer 340 to changecharacteristics of the antenna 210 such as conductivity, resonantfrequency, impedance, etc.

Aspects of other components shown in FIG. 3B may also be adjusted tochange one or more characteristics of the first antenna 210. Forexample, where a conductive element (such as conductive coating) isadded to the display flex 320 to form part of the one or more radiatingelements 212, dimensions and materials of that conductive element may beadjusted to reduce RF loss at the display flex 320. As another example,shapes and dimensions of the display flex 320, including planar portions324 and 326, may be adjusted to change characteristics of the antenna210. For instance, slot cut, flex bending, etc. may be added to thedisplay flex 320. Further, dimensions and materials of the separationlayer 350 may also be adjusted to reduce RF loss at the separation layer350.

FIG. 4 shows an example circuit 400 for a display antenna, such as thefirst antenna 210. The circuit 400 may also be used for other types ofantennas, such as the second antenna 220 and the third antenna 230. Asshown, the first antenna 210 is connected to the radio source 240, forexample at feed 214 (not shown). Between the radio source 240 and thefirst antenna 210, one or more tuners 410 may be connected to the feed214. For example, the one or more tuners 410 may include an impedancetuner and/or an aperture tuner. An aperture tuner is configured tochange an aperture size of one or more radiating elements of an antenna,which affects a resonant frequency of the antenna. An impedance tuner isconfigured to change an impedance of one or more radiating elements ofan antenna, which also affects a resonant frequency of the antenna.

In some instances, the one or more tuners 410 may include multipletuners, such as a first tuner that selects a resonant frequency of thefirst antenna 210 within a communication band, and a second tuner thatfine tunes within the selected communication band. Additionally, apre-matching circuit (not shown) may be connected to the one or moretuners 410 to customize the one or more tuners 410 as needed. The one ormore tuners 410 may improve frequency match, antenna efficiency, andreduce specific absorption rate.

The one or more tuners 410 may be active tuners controlled by theantenna control circuit (not shown in FIG. 4, shown as 661 in FIG. 6).In this regard, the one or more tuners 410 may tune between differentcommunication bands based on any of a number of network requirements,such as signal strength and user traffic. For example, the one or moretuners 410 may be configured such that, when signal strength drops belowa low quality threshold for the LTE band that the first antenna 210 iscurrently tuned to, the one or more tuners 410 may change an aperturesize and/or an impedance of the radiating elements of the first antenna210 to change its resonant frequency (changing tuning state), and tofine tune within that range.

Additionally, a matching network 420 may be connected to the firstantenna 210. A matching network is an impedance transforming circuitrythat ensures proper impedance matching by transforming either or bothimpedances of a radio source and a load. The matching network 420 mayinclude components such as inductors and capacitors. For instance, thematching network 420 may increase or decrease impedance of the radiosource 240 to match an impedance of the first antenna 210. Alternativelyor additionally, the matching network 420 may increase or decreaseimpedance of the first antenna 210—the load—to match an impedance of theradio source 240.

FIG. 5 shows an example performance graph of a display antenna, such asthe first antenna 210. Graph 500 plots s parameter for LTE frequencyranges. The s parameter for an antenna describes the relationshipbetween the input and reflected or pass-through power of the antenna.Here, the s parameter plotted is S11, which is the return loss of theantenna. The first antenna 210 is shown to be tuned one tuning state,which supports operation about three frequency ranges represented by thethree different troughs. For example, the first antenna 210 may be tunedby the circuit 400. As shown, the first trough covers frequencies in thelow-band LTE frequency range, the second and third troughs coverfrequencies in the mid-band LTE frequency range. Although not shownhere, the first antenna 210 may be turned to additional tuning state(s)in order to support operation in additional frequency ranges, such ashigh-band LTE frequency range.

FIG. 6 shows an example system 600 in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure. The example system 600 may be included as part of the device100. The system 600 has one or more computing devices, such as computingdevice(s) 610 containing one or more processor(s) 612, memory 614 andother components typically present in a personal computing device. Theone or more processor(s) 612 may be processors such as commerciallyavailable CPUs. Alternatively, the one or more processors may be adedicated device such as an ASIC, a single or multi-core controller, orother hardware-based processor.

The memory 614 stores information accessible by the one or moreprocessor(s) 612, including instructions 616 and data 618 that may beexecuted or otherwise used by processor(s) 612. The memory 614 may be,e.g., a solid state memory or other type of non-transitory memorycapable of storing information accessible by the processor(s), includingwrite-capable and/or read-only memories.

The instructions 616 may be any set of instructions to be executeddirectly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as scripts) by theprocessor. For example, the instructions may be stored as computingdevice code on the computing device-readable medium. In that regard, theterms “instructions” and “programs” may be used interchangeably herein.The instructions may be stored in object code format for directprocessing by the processor, or in any other computing device languageincluding scripts or collections of independent source code modules thatare interpreted on demand or compiled in advance. Functions, methods androutines of the instructions are explained in detail below.

User interface 620 may include user input(s) 630 and output device(s)640. For instance, user input(s) 630 may include mechanical actuators632, soft actuators 634, and microphone 636. The mechanical actuators632 may include a crown, buttons, switches and other components. Thesoft actuators 634 may be incorporated into a touchscreen. For example,touch sensors may be incorporated in the display cover 104, orcomponents of the display 300, such as display panel 310.

The output device(s) 640 may include a user display 642, audio output644, and haptic or tactile feedback 646. For example, the user display642 may be a screen or a touch screen for displaying information to theuser, and may include components in the display 300. The audio outputs644 may include components such as speakers, transducers, etc. Thehaptic interface or other tactile feedback 646 may components such ashaptic motors for providing non-visual and non-audible information tothe wearer.

The user interface 620 may include additional components as well. By wayof example, one or more sensor(s) 650 may be located on or within thehousing 102. For example, touch sensors may be incorporated into thedisplay 300. The sensor(s) 650 may also include an accelerometer, e.g.,a 3-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a barometricpressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, etc. Additional ordifferent sensors may also be employed. The user interface 620 may alsoinclude one or more camera(s) 652. For example the camera(s) 652 may beincorporated into the user display 642.

To obtain information from and send information to remote devices, thesystem 600 may include a communication subsystem 660 having a wirelessnetwork connection module 662, a wireless ad hoc connection module 664,and/or a wired connection module 666. The wireless network connectionmodule 662 may be configured to support communication via cellular, LTE,4G, WiFi, GPS, and other networked architectures. The wireless ad hocconnection module 664 may be configured to support Bluetooth®, BluetoothLE, near field communications, and other wireless arrangements. And thewired connection module 666 may include a USB, micro USB, USB type C orother connector, for example to receive data and/or power from a laptop,tablet, smartphone or other device.

The communication subsystem 660 may include one or more antenna controlcircuits 661, which controls an antenna system 663. For example, theantenna system 663 may be the antenna system 200. The antenna controlcircuit 661 may control the feeding of the first antenna 210, the secondantenna 220, and/or the third antenna 230 of the antenna system 200. Theantenna control circuit 661 may further control tuning of the firstantennas 210, the second antenna 220, and/or the third antenna 230, suchas impedance tuners, aperture tuners, and or matching networks. Whilenot shown, the communication subsystem 660 has a baseband section forprocessing data and a transceiver section for transmitting data to andreceiving data from remote devices. The transceivers may operate at RFfrequencies via one or more antennae, such as the first antenna 210, thesecond antenna 220, and/or the third antenna 230.

The system 600 includes one or more power source(s) 670 that providepower to the various components of the system. The power source(s) 670may include a battery, such as battery 672, winding mechanism, solarcell or combination thereof. The computing devices may be operativelycouples to the other subsystems and components via a wired bus or otherlink, including wireless links.

The system 600 also includes a position determination module 680, whichmay include a GPS chipset 682 or other positioning system components.Information from the sensor(s) 650 and/or from data received ordetermined from remote devices (e.g., wireless base stations or wirelessaccess points), can be employed by the position determination module 680to calculate or otherwise estimate the physical location of the system600.

The system 600 includes one or more internal clock(s) 690 that providetiming information, which can be used for time measurement for apps andother programs run by the smartwatch, and basic operations by thecomputing device(s) 610, GPS 682, and communication subsystem 660.

The display antenna and antenna system as described above provide forefficient operation of devices, particularly for small factor wearableelectronic devices. Features of the display antenna provide for usingconductive components that already exist in a display for formingantenna radiating elements, therefore saving limited space in smallfactor devices. A dedicated antenna layer in the display antennaprovides flexibility for both antenna design and device design, forexample, adjustments can be made to the dedicated antenna layer tochange characteristics of the display antenna, instead of compromisingdimensions and/or materials used in the display. The display antenna maybe positioned to allow dielectric loading by dielectric components thatalready exist in the display, which may further improve antennaperformance by effectively increasing the display antenna's electricallength without increasing its physical length. Features of the displayantenna also provide for reduced coupling with other antennas, greaterisolation from the body effects of the user, and reduced exposure of auser's body to RF radiation.

Unless otherwise stated, the foregoing alternative examples are notmutually exclusive, but may be implemented in various combinations toachieve unique advantages. As these and other variations andcombinations of the features discussed above can be utilized withoutdeparting from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoingdescription of the embodiments should be taken by way of illustrationrather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by theclaims. In addition, the provision of the examples described herein, aswell as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and the like, shouldnot be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of the claims to thespecific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate onlyone of many possible embodiments. Further, the same reference numbers indifferent drawings can identify the same or similar elements.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An antenna, comprising: a plurality ofelements configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency waves,comprising: one or more conductive elements of a component for a device;and one or more radiating elements positioned in a display for thedevice, wherein each of the one or more conductive elements arecapacitively coupled to and separated from the one or more radiatingelements according to a respective separation distance based on antennacharacteristics for the antenna.
 2. The antenna of claim 1, wherein theantenna is configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency wavesfor a plurality of frequency ranges.
 3. The antenna of claim 1, whereinthe display is at least partially housed in a housing and wherein atleast one of the one or more radiating elements is positioned along theinside surface of the housing.
 4. The antenna of claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more separation layers positioned between the one ormore conductive elements and the one or more radiating elements.
 5. Theantenna of claim 4, wherein the one or more separation layers comprisean adhesive layer.
 6. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising: one ormore tuners configured to change a resonant frequency of the antenna. 7.The antenna of claim 1, further comprising: one or more matchingnetworks configured to change an impedance of a radio source or a loadof the antenna.
 8. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antennacharacteristics comprise an impedance or resonant frequency of theantenna.
 9. A device, comprising: a display; an antenna comprising aplurality of elements configured to receive and/or transmit radiofrequency waves, the plurality of elements comprising: one or moreconductive elements of a component for the device; and one or moreradiating elements positioned in the display for the device, whereineach of the one or more conductive elements are capacitively coupled toand separated from the one or more radiating elements according to arespective separation distance based on antenna characteristics for theantenna.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the antenna is configured toreceive and/or transmit radio frequency waves for a plurality offrequency ranges.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the display is atleast partially housed in a housing and wherein at least one of the oneor more radiating elements is positioned along the inside surface of thehousing.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the component is a displayflex that provides electrical connections between the display and one ormore other components of the device.
 13. The device of claim 12, whereinthe one or more conductive elements include the electrical connectionsof the display flex.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the one or moreconductive elements include a conductive coating on the display flex.15. The device of claim 9, further comprising: one or more separationlayers positioned between the one or more conductive elements and theone or more radiating elements.
 16. The device of claim 9, furthercomprising: a display cover comprising a dielectric material andconfigured to dielectrically load the antenna.
 17. The device of claim9, wherein the antenna characteristics comprise an impedance or resonantfrequency of the antenna.
 18. The device of claim 9, wherein the antennais a first antenna, and wherein the device further comprises: a housingat least partially housing the display and the first antenna, and asecond antenna, wherein the second antenna is positioned along aperiphery of the housing of the device.
 19. The device of claim 18,wherein the first antenna is configured to receive and/or transmit radiofrequency waves of one or more first frequency ranges, and wherein thesecond antenna is configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequencywaves of one or more second frequency ranges.
 20. A system, comprising:a device comprising a display and an antenna, the antenna comprising aplurality of elements configured to receive and/or transmit radiofrequency waves, wherein the plurality of elements comprises: one ormore conductive elements of a component for the device; and one or moreradiating elements positioned in the display for the device, whereineach of the one or more conductive elements are capacitively coupled toand separated from the one or more radiating elements according to arespective separation distance based on antenna characteristics for theantenna.